Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Just four magnificently appointed chalets sleeping only eight people, right in the heart of Big Five country within the borders of the greater Kruger National Park!!!! Without a doubt, Naledi offers you the most personal, intimate experience anywhere In the region – and at a price often less than half of what you would expect to pay elsewhere! At Naledi we only ever have a maximum of eight guests on our game viewer, only eight relaxing on our beautiful swimming pool deck overlooking the river bed and our private waterhole where one can enjoy the daily parade of animals and birds coming to drink and feed in total peace and tranquility. Our lodge is our passion, showing people our private piece of wild Africa our greatest pleasure, and that means introducing you to the bush and all its creatures, from lions and elephants, to antelope and birds is something we always look forward to ! At Naledi you’ll find aircon throughout, delicious meals, elegant surroundings, a fabulously stocked bar, fun, relaxation and excitement in equal portions, but best of all, you’ll arrive as strangers, and leave as friends!!
Simply an outstanding experience in multiple aspects. To start, I had several email communications before arrival. All of them were answered very promptly and completely. We had asked them to arrange a pickup from Johannesburg airport, which they did promptly. Due to a change in our flight we had to change the pickup; done in a heartbeat with no issues.
We arrived after the normal lunch time but they prepared a fantastic lunch for us. After freshening up we went on the first evening game drive and saw lots of animals, including a pride of 20+ lions. On return to the lodge we were welcomed with towels to freshen up, followed by a fantastic 3-course dinner, with one of the staff members joining us to host the meal. Next morning was another memorable game drive followed by a hearty breakfast, relaxing in our room for a bit, then an excellent lunch, an evening game drive, and a fabulous dinner.
The staff go our of their way to make your stay a memorable one in all aspects. TK (who I did not get a chance to meet), Alex, and Petronella made sure all logistics and other aspects were totally smooth. Chef Dudu's meals were not only outstanding but their presentation was a work of art. Angel's drinks service was great. Oupa and Excellent did a fantastic job in the game drives (and the coffee that Oupa made before the morning game drives really it the spot).
We stayed in the Leadwood Suite, which was a lot of space for the 3 of us, but definitely worth it for the small private pool and the additional feeling of privacy and isolation.
We had asked Naledi to arrange a private pickup (and return via the Panorama Route) from/to Johannesburg airport. I would strongly encourage 2 or more people to consider this option. While the drive (about 6 hours) is longer than the flight from Johannesburg to Hoedspruit (and the transfer from there to the lodge), it is a relaxing drive, and can done at your time and pace, rather than the timings of the flights.
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Date of stay: December 2019
Value
Rooms
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We very much enjoyed our two nights at Naledi bushcamp. The staff are very professional and friendly, especially Alex, TK and Lillian who looked after us throughout our stay.
We stayed at bushcamp in the paper bark room and it was very comfortable, with air conditioning and also a ceiling fan. There were mosquito nets for the bed, but we had no issues with bugs or mozzies. There is a large outdoor verandah off the room with seating that looks out into the bush (with just a discrete fence) we enjoyed sitting out there watching a group of impala and a small monkey. The bathroom was well equipped and we loved the option for an outdoor shower.
The common areas were also well appointed with a comfortable indoor bar/lounge area as well as outdoor options upstairs with great views and also downstairs near the lovely pool - which we found useful in cooling down with the hot weather.
We found the food to be fine throughout our stay, in fact the kudu loin we had for one of the dinners was one of the best meals of our whole trip to Southern Africa - thank you Chef Dudu and the Team!
Although you don’t order from a menu, we were given advice of what the upcoming meals were so alterations could be requested if needed. If you have strong food preferences I recommend giving advanced notice as the chef seemed very accommodating of guest preferences. All meals are generally eaten as a group which is fine, and quite fun when the staff join also. There are also options to dine privately if you prefer.
If you do all of the daily activities the schedule is quite packed, with early starts to maximize game viewing, however staff always try and allow some time to freshen up between activities and meals and there is a bit of time in the afternoon to relax.
We enjoyed our game drives in Balule and felt that on each drive we saw something worthwhile. The terrain at the reserve is quite dense at the moment so our tracker and driver (Sydwell and Vuyani) had to work hard to find animals - but that is part of the experience. As animals move freely between the reserve and Kruger you never know what surprises might pop up, but it is a different experience to game drives in open plain areas. One benefit is the ability to drive off road on some properties which, when appropriate, allows you to get quite close to animals. It rained for two of our game drives, but Naledi supplies us with rain gear and blankets so it was still a comfortable experience in the open Jeep.
We also highly recommend the bush walk. Vuyani was so knowledgable about the land, plants and animals. It was beautiful and peaceful to walk in the bush, and we felt we were in very safe hands.
Highly recommend Naledi for a comfortable and peaceful experience in nature.
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
10/10. First of all, all our bookings and travel arrangements were handled efficiently and professionally by Radhika from the African Safari Group. We got there and checked in with no hassles. The welcome was so warm. We went as 3 adults and 3 children (19months, 5 & 7) and the lodge went out of their way to make all of us feel at home. Chef Dudu would make child friendly food for my kids as well as cater for my pescatarian meals everyday. All food including my baby’s was presented so well and delicious. The rooms are spacious and very comfortable. The lodge is intimate, taking only 12-15 guests. We saw 3 out of the big 5 on our game drives and lots of other game like hippos, hyena’s, giraffes, zebra etc. Our highlight was seeing lions up close everyday and on the last day a pride of more than 17 lions. Oupa and Excellent, the guides, are very knowledgeable, friendly and professional. The staff made my husbands birthday so special by baking him a cake, singing and going out of their way to find his favourite whisky. Def a experience and 5 star service.
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Date of stay: September 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from kjell Bismeyer, Owner at Naledi Lodges
Responded 7 Oct 2020
Dear Ngaag Thank you for your review which is greatly appreciated, I am so pleased that our staff made your stay and your husbands Birthday so special. Our Lodge only sleeps ten Guests max which keeps the camp intimate and allows us to present everything tailored to your requirements. We hope to have the opportunity to host you again in the not too distant future Kind regards Kjell & the Naledi Team
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Want a night game drive cruising along in the dark as a part of (from 3 up to 20 feet from the truck) a pride of eight lions hunting impala? Or how about driving down a dirt track surrounded by a pack of wild African Dogs loping along hunting lunch, speeding up and slowing with them then crashing through the bush watching the chase? Like carnival rides? How about ‘reversing down the track at 25 miles per hour to get out of range of a huge bull elephant in musk who has just ripped off half of a large Marula tree in anger because of a lack of fruit. How about being put off amarula Liquor for life because every huge pile of elephant dung was filled with it? Naledi Private Game reserve next to Kruger Park, just outside Hoedspruit South Africa rates right up there with the best safari camps that we’ve been to in amenities, food, charming attentive staff, cleanliness, etc. But the game drives set it apart. They were Wow, Amazing! Our driver/guides, Oupa and Excellent, provided close up experiences at an unexpected level. We are interested in birds as much as other animals. Both guides would head toward a brown smudge in a tree in the distance. Before we could identify it with our binoculars they would shout, “Lilac Breasted Roller - page 143” - one of our favorites. Our favorite bird name, Redbeak Oxpecker - saw plenty on Hippos and water buffalo. We’d stop on the side of the bird for the best picture lighting and they usually had some anecdote (always accurate I’m sure} about its habits, migration patterns and seasonal plumage. I'm not sure all of their game drives are this fortunate, but if you want the best ‘Kruger Safari Experience’, this is the place to stay
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Date of stay: February 2020
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This lodge only has 4 rooms and on the dates we stayed there were no other guests booked so we had a private resort experience- extra special treat for our honeymoon. The staff were incredible- attending to our every need and adapting to our preferences. We ate our meals in a different location every meal- sometimes on the roof terrace, sometimes by the pool, sometimes on our private decking and on the last night a romantic meal was set up in our room. The food was delicious and very creative and so plentiful. Breakfast was 3 courses, lunch included dessert and dinner was a fine dining experience. The game drives were marvellous. Our guide and tracker were very knowledgeable and really wanted to make the best of our time there. The drives were scheduled for early morning and late afternoon in to evening but one day the guide came running to our room around 11am urging us to hurry and come out with him as there had been reports of a leopard close by. Sadly we just missed it but only due to our own slowness! We thought it fantastic service for them to take us out on an additional drive to try and complete our big 5! I cannot recommend Naledi enough and only wish there were 6 stars to give! Thank you for making our honeymoon an incredible once in a life time experience!
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Date of stay: November 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Since I was very little, I have dreamed of going on a safari and Naledi was recommended to me as a great place to both view animals and enjoy a bit of luxury.
Over the last week, I have seen things I may never see again. Stars so bright they light up the sky. Colours beyond what seems real. Healthy wild animals in abundance and living freely. The trackers were exceptional. Not only did they provide some fascinating information, but were dedicated to helping us find the animals we wanted to see. Black rhino and wild dogs were a highlight. And they positioned the vehicle with care so that we could all see well but without disturbing the natural behaviour of the animals.
After dark, the way that they could spot nocturnal animals was beyond amazing.
From my incredibly beautiful room, I could hear lions roar at night and watch the bush peacefully from the deck during the day. The room was kept immaculately with everything I could want.
The food was delicious - just the right portions and flavours to die for. The staff were all highly in-tune with all the guests and very perceptively knew what everyone would want to make their stay special. Every mealtime was beautifully set, in different places, and was utterly perfect.
I have learned about tracks, bush life and animal behaviours from the bush walks which felt both safe and exciting at the same time.
Overall, Naledi helped me live my dream - it couldn't have been better. I highly recommend this lodge to anyone with a passion for nature and wanting to be treated with exceptional service.
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Date of stay: May 2022
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:I had Rockfig with views over the bush and overlooking a dry river bed where we saw leopard,...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We originally found Naledi whilst doing our research on line and decided that this was the place we wanted to go to, to experience our first safari. We therefore planned out entire South Africa trip around it and boy was it the best decision we ever made, save for inviting our grown up family along!! From the moment we arrived we knew we had made the right choice. We stayed in Rockfig and Leadwood, which were beautifully decorated, immaturely clean and offered a window to the wildlife. Within moments of arriving a message from our daughter told us of a bull elephant bathing and drinking in the water hole they overlooked which was fabulous. We stayed for 5 nights and enjoyed 9 safaris with Oupa and Excellent. Two amazing guides- funny, intelligent, experienced trackers who could find anything from an elusive black rhino, sleeping in the undergrowth to a tiny chameleon in the treetops in the pitch black! Turning corners to scenes you’ve only seen on your TV, to a pride of lions walking past the jeep, rhinos wallowing in the river and a leopard in the tree with her kill and baby hyenas playing by their den says everything! The food at the lodge was fantastic too and the excitement continued every time in terms of where it’s served every day or night, but experiencing it round the fire pit whilst seeing the Milky Way and shooting stars is impressive! Finally we have to mention our wedding anniversary. Returning to candles, rose petals and a bath run for us was very special. However the surprises didn’t stop there with our evening meal planned at the girls lodge, with cake, champagne and singing and dancing from the whole team was beyond our dreams, not least because the whole event was supported by an elephant tromping round in the background. The entire team at Naledi deserve every accolades possible. They work tirelessly to make your experience something that dreams are made of and whilst it’s hard to shout out the front of house and guides, without mentioning everyone in the background- Tk, Lillian, Angel, Oupa and Excellence you are very special to us and we will remember you forever for the incredible experience you gifted us. We will be back and can’t wait to see the exciting things you have planned.
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:There’s only one tip- just go- don’t question, don’t do anymore research just go
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We went to Naledi on a recommendation from a friend, and was blown away . The lodge is intimate (only 4 chalets ) Every meal was prepared with creative flair ( dinners were fine dining experiences with elegant decor which changed every night with different colours and themes. I loved the different colourful serviettes provided at each meal and the quirky colourful decor that offset the traditional African decor - my kind of scene! We had the magnificent Rock Fig suite which had its own private deck with a pool, and we had dinne rone night on that deck.First night was at the main lodge and last last inside our room which was decked out with flowers and petals after we returned from our evening drive The staff were incredible- always friendly and with smiles. The game drives were amazing I saw my perennial favorite animal leopard three times in addition to the other big 4 . Hyena with their cubs are always a joy to watch for hours. I have been to numerous game lodges and this one just spoke to me from the heart . This place has soul and passion which reflects Kjell, who runs the place. Those who knows that living in the bush among wildlife is where one's heart belongs to, and who wants to share that soul experience with their guests are those who offers unforgettable safari experiences. Kjell is such a person .I cannot highly recommend the lodge enough.. and I think I might have left my heart there - all I want to do is to return and never come back.
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Date of stay: September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from kjell Bismeyer, Owner at Naledi Lodges
Responded 7 Oct 2020
Dear Fedbatz Thank you for having taken the recommendation from your friend, I am pleased we had the opportunity to host you here at Naledi and that you enjoyed Rockfig and the attention from the staff. We keeping your heart safe till your return Kind regards kjell and The Naledi Team
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We absolutely loved Naledi. We were greeted by Alex, who was extremely friendly and helpful for the duration of the stay. The room at Rock Fig was incredible with AC, a private pool, and a feeling of seclusion as you are in the middle of camp. Lily at the bar/dining room was fantastic in assisting with anything we needed. Chef Dudu’s food was amazing - we were very impressed with the creativity of the dishes and they were a highlight of the trip.
The game drives were wonderful. I loved chatting with the guides and Naledi puts a nice touch on the drive by offering snacks and drinks as the sun starts to go down. We saw most of the Big Five and were usually the first to arrive at a game sighting. They were very knowledgeable and friendly.
We cannot say enough about Naledi and would recommend it to anyone! If we come back to South Africa, we will definitely be staying here again.
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Date of stay: March 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Well where to start. This was the first part to our honeymoon and we were completely blown away with our stay at Naledi.
From the second we arrived our transfer was ready and waiting for us. As we drove down the path to naledi we were greeted by Alex and Petronella the most wonderfully friendly managers that generally could not do enough for us throughout our stay .
The drives were incredible with the A Team, Oupa and tracker, Excellent who were amazingly knowledgable and just watching them in action was an adventure in itself! We were lucky enough to see elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, hyena’s, black & white rhino, buffalo, family of warthogs and in the words of Oupa “Wooowww, Amazing, Impala” (antelope that we saw everywhere!)
The Food was sensational, both chefs Du du and Sam were fantastic. The portions were huge and everything had so much flavour. The cakes and fresh pastries, also amazing. A mention to Angel aswel who was front of house and she didn’t let us lift a finger! The house keepers all doing a fantastic job, everywhere was spotless. The grounds of Naledi are so peaceful there’s lots of cosy places to sit and relax and the pool is lovely if the weathers hot enough!
So to conclude the most amazing place we have ever stayed & we made memories to last a life time. We were treated like royalty, having a special candle lit dinner set up for us after a game drive as a surprise was a real highlight. So a massive thank you to every single member of the team, keep doing what your doing. We would love to return one day 💕
Becky & Callum Smithson
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Balule Nature Reserve area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
naledi bushcamp and enkoveni camp hotel balule private game reserve
LOCATION
South AfricaKruger National ParkBalule Nature Reserve
NUMBER OF ROOMS
4
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